Pages

Friday, November 4, 2011

Still Chipping Away...

The Villa Spada, the (soon to be former) Irish embassy to the Holy See

Ireland is to close its embassy to the Holy See. I suppose many of us saw this coming considering what happened during the summer and Enda Kenny's remarks in the Dail. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said the decision is purely economic - since the embassy to the Holy See produces no economic benefits, then it is being liquidated: it has nothing to do with the row over the child abuse scandals. I'm afraid I find that hard to believe, to be honest. If they are closing down embassies because they are not economically beneficial then there are a few others that need to go, delegations which are not as important or as useful as that to the Holy See.

First of all there are the three embassies in Brussels - yes people, Ireland has three embassies, three ambassadors with three sets of staff in Brussels. One embassy to Belgium, one embassy to the EU and a third to NATO - we are not even a member of NATO but we still have a formal delegation to the organisation. If you want to talk about saving money, close down two of those embassies and get the one ambassador to cover all three: that would save more money than the closing of the embassy to the Holy See. There are also other embassies and representations that could have been cut back. After all, do we really need embassies in the countries of the EU? After all, are we not all one now, so why have embassies?

Some may ask, why bother having an embassy to the Church? Well actually a posting to the Holy See has always been considered important, and many countries send senior ambassadors to their delegations in the Vatican. Why? Because the Holy See is a diplomatic melting pot: if you know how to play the game it is one of the most useful fact-finding postings. The Holy See is neutral and a place where diplomats can meet and talk in a non-threatening atmosphere - they don't need to be watching their backs. For this reason, and many others, the Holy See enjoys real respect in diplomatic circles. It seems the present government, and indeed people in the Department of Foreign Affairs, do not understand that.

Historically, the embassy to the Holy See was the first embassy the new Irish State established, and with it our country declared itself a free, sovereign nation. So our representation there was important symbolically.

I am wondering what will happen now. I notice the government announce this in the aftermath of criticism for their bailing out junior bondholders of Anglo-Irish Bank. Just a few days ago €750 million was paid to these bondholders by the taxpayers of Ireland, most of these bondholders making a profit of about 70% on their initial investment. The country is in trouble; the IMF and EU have imposed measures which are crucifying our citizens financially, and the government pays out a profit to speculators. So, is this move on the embassy another distraction, just as Enda Kenny's speech in the Dail was the means to distracting criticism for his conflicting controversial utterances to the people of Roscommon and the Dail over the issue of Roscommon hospital? Is it possible that the government, when in trouble, starts to kick the Church in the hope the anti-Catholics will join in on the fun and forget the mess the government has created?

Watch this space. I sense another row brewing. You see I do not think the Vatican permits ambassadors to Italy double up as ambassadors to the Holy See - it is a mechanism designed to respect the Vatican's sovereignty (I don't think Italy allows the doubling up either). I can see the government complaining that they are not allowed double up and use it as another stick to beat the Church. Maybe not, but I could see something like that happen. People in Ireland have such a low opinion of the Church, they are not open to look at things objectively. The government might see another opportunity to win points, and they need those points; after all the Minister for Education wants the Catholic schools, and the way has to be cleared for the introduction of abortion - any chance of objections from the Church has to be neutralised. On that last point, the way the Church and bishops are at the moment, there would be little or no opposition to the introduction of abortion.

Another issue is that of constitutional reform - the government is, I think, looking to write a new constitution for Ireland, and so certain matters like freedom of religion may well be limited, again a silent Church with no credibility is required while that is going on.

Do I sound like a madman? I hope so. But at this stage anything is possible. I think in five years time, when we look back, we will see a very different Ireland. Perhaps the downgrading of the representation to the Holy See is a symbolic salvo. For these reasons I think the Holy See had better get its act together. I think we need a good nuncio, be it here in Dublin or doubled up with London. We need a nuncio who will be able to resist the charm of the Irish and be intent on sorting out the problems in the Church in Ireland. We need a man who can play the game well and be tough. We also need a new sort of bishop in the new appointments as they come up. We now need men who are able to deal with a hostile government while being on fire with zeal for a new evangelisation.

By the way, did you notice that the government have also announced that they are closing the embassy to Iran in the same breath as that of the Vatican? I think we get the message there, a not too subtle insult. That's where Ireland is now.

7 comments:

It is not only clearly being done for bad motives (a petulant lash at the perceived enemy who showed the Government up after the crazed "speech" by the Taoiseach, and a critical moral voice they can more easily ignore as they go about dismantling the moral principles and realities our Constitution is based on) but it is foolish and shortsighted in the extreme to give up the direct, high level relations with a human society that spans over a billion people and is in almost every country in the world and has relations with most states? What did I say in a recent comment on an earlier post about relativism and atheism shunning logic for the untamed emotions of anger and hate? Will the leaders of the Church in Ireland wake up from their coma now? - and if not now, when? Lynda

When the "sons of darkness" mobilise, the sons and daughters of the light mobilise too. Time for all the sleepy catholics to wake up and see what's happening. We must speak up now or we will pay the price.

I think as many people as possible should protest to the DFA (cc to Kenny). It probably won't have any effect - but don't let this pass without raising our voices. BTW while an Ambassador to Italy cannot be accredited to the Holy See, another Ambassador, e.g. to Switzerland can.

Novena to the Holy Family for the Cause of Marriage and Family Life in Ireland

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

we bless and venerate you.

We commend to your care and protection

the cause of marriage and family life.

May the peace which reigned in your home

take possession of all hearts and abide in all families.

Confirm all men and women in the truth

so we may recognise what is good and right

and reject all that hinders life

and the true flourishing of humanity.

Guide the hearts of all citizens

that we may witness to the truth

in forming the laws governing our society.

Bless those who work for the protection

of marriage, family and life.

O Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

We entrust our hearts and our lives to you.

Amen

Novena To Blessed Paul VI For A Miracle For An Unborn Baby Boy

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the witness of your Servant, Blessed Paul VI, who served you and the Church as Universal Pastor in difficult times.

As a pilgrim among pilgrims he sought to reveal the beauty and joy of the Gospel to the men and women of his time, choosing the way of gentleness and forbearance.

As Shepherd of the flock he sought to proclaim the truth in a time of great confusion in imitation of his patron the Apostle to the Gentiles.

As Servant he proclaimed the Gospel of Life and in doing so bore the cross of suffering and isolation in union with your Crucified Son becoming a Prophet in the midst of the growing culture of death.

As we beseech you to raise your Servant to be numbered among the Saints, may his example of faith, courage and patient endurance inspire us in our daily living of the Gospel and in our witness to Jesus Christ.

May we too be Prophets of life, respecting, protecting and cherishing the gift of life, most especially in its most vulnerable moments.

May we too be your missionaries at this time, seeking to transform the hearts of all men and women through the joy we find in Christ.

Hear our prayers, most Merciful Father, and grant us through the intercession of Blessed Paul the graces we now ask that you may grant a healing of baby Paul.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for him

Prayer For Christians In The Middle East

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the world, look upon our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who proclaim your Name and live your Gospel in the midst of persecution, strive and martyrdom. Save them, we pray, protect them, and hear our prayer that peace may come to the Land you graced with your presence.

Pro-Life Novena to St Gianna

Saint Gianna,
Wife, Mother, Doctor and exemplary Christian,
intercede with Christ, our Lord of Life
to help us in these times to proclaim the Gospel of Life;
to bring to an end the evil of abortion
and the conversion of those who promote it;
to help and console those women tempted to do it,
and to heal those who have had one.
Watch over Ireland in these critical days.
Amen.

Three Hail Marys.

About Me

Fr John Hogan, OCDS, a Secular Discalced Carmelite priest serving in the Diocese of Meath, Ireland, is the founder and current Father Director of the Fraternity of St Genesius, an international association of prayer for those in the arts and media. He co-hosts the television series "Forgotten Heritage" on the Eternal Word Television Network.

St Genesius

Fraternity of St Genesius

Become a Missionary From Your Own Home

Assist the Church in her mission of evangelisation to those in the cinema and the arts. As a member of the Fraternity of St Genesius, you can be a missionary through your prayer, uniting yourself with men and women all over the world. In this International Family of Prayer, you can have a part in the New Evangelisation. For more information go to http://www.stgenesius.com/.